Ducati’s World Championship hopes took a hit as the Australian Grand Prix’s long race was cancelled, denying the factory team crucial points in the MotoGP title fight. Speaking from the Phillip Island circuit, Ducati Lenovo Team Manager Davide Tardozzi addressed the ramifications of the cancellation, Marc Márquez’s stellar performance amidst fierce Aprilia competition, and the challenges facing his squad in the final four rounds of the season.

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“The cancellation obviously costs us an opportunity to score points,” Tardozzi admitted. “But safety always comes first at Ducati — above sport, business, or anything else. I personally witnessed a career-ending crash here in 1998, so I cannot accept risking riders’ wellbeing. If safety demands cancelling the race, then that’s what we must do.” Despite the lost chance to gain ground in the championship, Tardozzi underscored the non-negotiable priority of rider safety.

Regarding the missed possibility of moving Sunday’s long race to Saturday due to bad weather forecasts, Tardozzi explained, “It wasn’t just about track conditions but also the helicopter’s availability. The decision-makers couldn’t have predicted the visibility issues that prevented the helicopter from coming in from Melbourne. So, switching the race day simply wasn’t feasible.”

Turning to the on-track battle, Tardozzi reflected on Aprilia’s competitiveness and the duel between Márquez and Jorge Martín. “Bezzecchi was showing strong pace in dry conditions, climbing from the fourth row to fourth place,” he noted. “Martín made a mistake but had been very competitive. Whether Marc could have beaten him remains uncertain — it would have been a fierce fight until the end. I’m glad Martín will be at Sepang, indicating his injury isn’t severe. He’s a hero, a fast rider who will push hard to challenge us.”

On Márquez’s performance, Tardozzi praised his tactical maturity. “I think Marc’s best race is still ahead. Yesterday, he managed the situation smartly — not overextending, but staying aware. He respects Jorge and responded immediately every time Martín overtook him, knowing that if Martín opened a gap for a couple of laps, he could escape. Marc’s calculated approach even excuses the morning’s rookie error.”

Looking ahead to the final four races, Tardozzi admitted Aprilia’s strength, “Out of the next four rounds, I expect Aprilia to lead in three, and for us to be faster in one. But we have Marc Márquez — and that gives us confidence. Our rivals have two riders fighting for the title, and we respect their factory and rider quality. Still, we’re Ducati, and we’re always in the fight.”

Regarding the uncertainty over the Qatar GP’s running, Tardozzi commented, “The situation is clear. Organizers have assured us of safety, so we’re not dwelling on it. We’ll monitor next week, but if they say it’s safe, we trust that.”

When asked whether Jorge Martín or Marco Bezzecchi poses the bigger threat to Márquez’s championship aspirations, Tardozzi weighed the options carefully. “It depends on Jorge’s condition. I have great respect for Marco, who still has the potential to win all remaining races. Having a 50-point lead over Marco is good for us but not insurmountable for him. Jorge’s injury will be decisive — if he’s competitive, that doesn’t guarantee wins. We don’t expect him to win in Sepang, but his performance there and in Qatar will reveal his true level.”

Ducati’s path to the title remains steep, but with Marc Márquez’s measured brilliance steering the charge, Tardozzi’s team is far from conceding defeat. “We have four races left and Marc. That reassures us,” he concluded.